Work Text:
“Remus, Sirius, thank you for coming in,” Griphook said. “It’s only going to be us today as something has come to my attention. If what we suspect is true, this could change young Orion’s future. This could bring him an emotional peace I think he’s always lacked.”
Sirius and Remus exchanged glances. “Okay, we’re intrigued,” Remus said.
“I’ve prefaced this because it will mean a lot to all of you, Sirius, you especially. When we were first looking into Orion’s life and thinking of ways we could accomplish his freedom, we noticed that there was no death certificate ever issued for Regulus Black,” he said grimly, watching Sirius.
Sirius’ arm smacked into Remus, grabbing his hand, face white. “You think… you think?”
“We have every reason to hope he could be alive. Our records are absolute, but because I respect you, I would hate to swear it was true and have some unforeseen circumstance mean something else. For instance if we found him catatonic or comatose. So, I want you to go into this with your eyes wide open,” Griphook said. It nearly made him cringe to admit he respected or cared about these wizards, but since young Orion had come into his life, he couldn’t help but experience a softer side to himself than he’d ever thought he was capable of.
Sirius closed his eyes and silent tears streamed down his face. His entire body was shivering.
“Should we call for Severus? He should know, shouldn’t he?” Remus asked quietly.
With a vigorous shake of his head, Sirius opened his eyes. “No. For the same reason we aren’t telling Orion, just like Griphook said. Severus blames himself too much for what happened during that time. I want to know for certain before I bring him into it,” Sirius said. Severus was finally healing some of the guilt of losing Lily and forgetting Reggie was his friend.
“You’re right, of course. What is our next step, Griphook? Is there some sort of searching ritual we can do?” Remus asked, rubbing Sirius’ hand in his.
“I think a location spell will help us narrow it down and then we can see if we can get a specific bead on him. I already have the ritual room ready if you feel you’re up to it,” Griphook offered, already knowing the answer.
“Let’s go,” Sirius said, leaping up.
.
Sirius was devastated when for months there was nothing. No location could be divined. No point-me spell worked. No rituals, nothing. Remus seemed to want to let go of it, but he just couldn’t. Now that Orion had been home and safe for four months now and they were free from Albus, maybe there was more that could be done. If they only knew more about that time. Then he cursed loud and long.
“Kreacher!” He felt like an idiot.
“Master Sirius calls?” Kreacher had relaxed a lot since becoming part of the Black-Peverell family.
“I have a question that may be upsetting for you, Kreacher, but I need to know more about what happened to Regulus,” Sirius said and saw the immediate distress on the elf’s face. “It’s very important and I’ll tell you why as soon as you tell me about the last time you saw him.”
Kreacher wrung his hands. “Master Regulus wanted to search for bad magic pieces to get rid of the evil wizard. He got hint of one hidden in a cave in the ocean. He took Kreacher with him and drank poison to retrieve the locket. He placed a false locket. He gave the evil locket to Kreacher and said if he didn’t come back to destroy it. He then sent Kreacher back home and Master Regulus never came home,” the elf said.
“Thank you. We were told by the goblins that their magic never claimed Regulus was dead. But we don’t know where he was when he went missing. Can you help us find the cave?”
Within a half hour, Sirius, Remus and Griphook were in Gringotts and looking at a map. There was one tiny dot of land in the middle of the open ocean.
“That doesn’t inspire confidence,” Sirius noted, his stomach sinking.
“Indeed it doesn’t. Let’s go,” Remus said. “We’ll cast a notice me not, but I have a feeling not a lot of people will be there. Griphook will you or one of your warriors accompany us? We may need the knowledge and strength of the goblins.”
“Of course. Axeblade will be happy to accompany you. He is over two hundred years old and will have all the knowledge many young ones would have combined,” Griphook said, snapping off a note.
.
“Still doesn’t inspire confidence,” Sirius muttered. The rock looked barren, a small cave off to one side. If that weren’t intimidating enough, the place reeked of dark magic. Nasty, deep dark magic. “This isn’t going to be good. I’m glad it’s just us.”
“Same,” Remus said, Moony clear in his worried golden gaze. “Stick by me, mate.” His wolf was closer to the surface with the threat of danger to his mate.
“I will, Moony, no worries,” Sirius said, reaching out and squeezing his shoulder. “I feel dark magic, but nothing specific. Moony, anything discernible?”
Remus took in long drags of air. “Death. A lot of death and some sort of poison? It’s confusing. I smell water, but I smell some sort of poison.”
Axeblade was waving his hands in the air in front of him. “Hmm… death magic. Mother Magic, I think it’s inferi.”
Sirius’ knees almost went out. “Is Reggie an inferi? Would that have registered as dead to your magic or alive?”
“Honestly, it would depend on a lot of variables. Inferi do have life to them, but no thought. I have worked with one or two, but I’ve never seen one brought back to a human state,” Axeblade said, his gruff expression solemn. “I’m sorry. I’m going to go in there and check for signs of life, then I suggest you discuss your options before making any decisions. There might not be anything left and it might do more damage to yourselves then it would be worth, not now that you have young Orion to think of.” With that he walked away.
“Sirius, I’m so sorry,” Remus said.
Sirius’ mind was whirling. Inferi. Death. Dark Magic. Ritual Magic. Blood Magic. Orion. “Remus, go with Axeblade back to Gringotts and tell him I’m going to do some research before we act. I’ll meet you at home.”
.
“Kreacher, do you know anything about the creatures in that cave?” Sirius asked, piecing together Regulus died for that damn locket. Or mostly died.
“Nasty death magic creatures. Part alive, part dead. Master Sirius tells Kreacher now?” Kreacher said, wrinkling his nose.
“This news is even more upsetting, Kreacher, but we have reason to believe Regulus was turned into an inferi. The only sign of life on that entire rock are the inferi there,” Sirius said, patting the elf on the shoulder when he started sobbing messily.
“Oh Kreacher’s shame!” he wailed.
“Kreacher, I have a question, please calm yourself,” Sirius said. “Would your magic work on an inferi or do you know any kind of magical branch that could even try and return an inferi to itself?”
Kreacher mopped at his face with his tiny Peverell handkerchief he kept tucked in his uniform pocket. The elf loved his traditional garb. “Elf magic no. Perhaps a mix of Resuscitatio, the ritual of restoration with Postea Sanguis Ritual, blood replacement. Takes great blood magic power,” Kreacher said sadly, shaking his head.
“Kreacher,” Sirius whispered urgently.
The elf looked at him in shock. “Master Sirius?”
“Orion has Blood Magic and Ritual Magic giftings,” he whispered, eyes wide, hope raw in his chest. “We have to find those rituals, Kreacher. Do you know…”
With a snap four books and three scrolls landed in front of them.
Kreacher’s face was set in a determined expression. “Whether Master Regulus can come back or not, we will try. We must be confident. Master Orion cannot think he failed if we fail.”
“Agreed. We are either completely sure or we let it go.” Sirius said and heard Remus come through the floo. “Remus! We have reading to do. We might have hope after all thanks to Kreacher and maybe thanks to Orion if we can figure it out. Grab a book,” Sirius said and grabbed blank parchment for all of them.
Remus grabbed a book and started asking questions.
.
“Orion? May we speak with you for a minute?” Sirius asked. “Come to the library with us.”
“Sure thing. Hey, I was studying this amazing ritual that can give you multiple animagus forms, wouldn’t that be amazing?” Orion chattered.
Sirius grinned. His nephew was such a joy. If they were all lucky, he would get to have his father back and get to have that kind of joy himself. Severus had taken the news about Regulus as well as could be expected. Like him and Remus, he felt guilty about not knowing. But Sirius needed him to brew the potions needed for the rituals and so had to bring him in. Severus was glad he had and was eager to participate.
They sat themselves in the Founder’s Corner as they called the far corner of the library. Although they were no longer limited to that. Genius Orion was at it again and managed to make a series of frames interconnected in the Cottage that made it possible for them to access most of the main rooms. They didn’t have to stay in the same frame and quite enjoyed roaming around their home. They also had the run of Hogwarts and happily mingled with the children, learning and teaching in turns.
Orion nodded to everyone. Severus, Griphook and the founders nodded back.
“Orion, Griphook came to us about your father, Regulus,” Sirius said.
“I call him Papa in my head. Dad was always Dad,” Orion mused with a small smile. “I imagine I would’ve called him Papa.”
Sirius sniffled and nodded. “Right. There is no death certificate for your Papa, Orion. We searched for months and we finally found out what happened to him. It’s not good, pup.”
Orion’s eyes were burning. Not dead? Did he have a chance to have his papa? “What’s not good?”
“Before I tell you that, we have found two rituals that we are confident can help. Now, Regulus was after the locket horcrux to kill the Dark Bastard. He found a cave that contained a bowl of poison. The locket was in the bottom of the pool and the only way to get to it magically was drinking it. It poisoned him,” Sirius took a deep breath. He saw Helga nodding to him, encouraging him. “Orion, we think he’s an inferi. There are others there in the cave as well.”
“Inferi. Reanimated corpses. Pale skin, sunken, sightless eyes. Animalistic. Can be controlled. The poison turned him into the reanimated part of the corpse which was probably killed by the inferi,” Orion said, pacing as he thought out loud. He pushed aside the visual of his papa like that. No. What can he do now? “What have you found out? You wouldn’t have come to me without knowing something more because you wouldn’t want me to get my hopes up. Wait, which means it’s probably something I can do otherwise my papa would already be here. Okay, blood magic or ritual?”
All four founders, Griphook, Sirius and Severus burst out laughing.
“Of course he figured it out. My little snake does his house proud,” Salazar boasted, pride in his crystalline eyes.
“You’re a miracle, Orion Black,” Remus said.
“It’s two rituals, Orion,” Severus said. “We’ve researched every bit about them and from what we learned and what the goblins learned, we believe that, combined, these two rituals would return Regulus to his human form.”
Orion tilted his head. “Yet we have no guarantee about his mental faculties because it’s likely not been done or at least not been documented. Correct?”
Sirius nodded. “Exactly. The first ritual is Postea Sanguis, a blood replacement, which would replace the poisoned blood in Regulus. If we use a mix of mine for family and yours for family and strength with your innate gifts, it should cleanse him and return him to human. Next is the Resuscitation Ritual, or Resuscitatio, which will bring him back to consciousness. After that, the goblins have offered the time chamber again. Give him a week and the blessing of Lady Magic and he should be back to himself. The goblins have a magic that will erase any thoughts or dreams about being an inferi. We will tell him, but he doesn’t need those nightmares.”
“Agreed,” Orion said. “Alright. Load me up. Rituals, cleansing rituals, purification rituals for all of us. Information and history on inferi, translations of anything that can help or further insight. How long until the optimum ritual day?”
Griphook gave a sharp grin. “I do enjoy you, Orion. We will proceed on Samhain, six weeks away. It should make it exceedingly easier to do the Resuscitation Ritual. It’s the Blood Replacement ritual that is going to be the challenge. Healer Zynyd will have some strengthening rituals for you, a special diet to strengthen you. Both you and Sirius will be on blood enhancers, make your blood more potent, richer and full of your magic.”
Orion clapped his hands together, rubbing them and grinning. “I’m sure I’ll break down later about my papa being a zombie, but right now, I can’t wait to learn more. What a challenge! I can’t wait. I’m going to do the very best I can,” he assured them. “I’m going to take this more seriously than anything in my life. I won’t fail.”
Sirius stood up and crossed to him, taking his hands. “We know you won’t fail. This isn’t a succeed or fail situation. We wouldn’t do this if we weren’t sure it would work and if we weren’t sure you were capable. It has been unanimously agreed that you are more than able to do this. If something tragic happens, we’ll be ready and prepared in our hearts. There is always the chance of something going wrong. But we’re trying and that would be the thing that would weigh us down over the years is if we didn’t try,” Sirius told him, making sure their eyes met. He needed to see the real agreement in those gray eyes, so like his papa’s. If he saw any sign of burden, he would cancel it now and blame it on himself. But his nephews eyes were lit, determined and very adult.
“I’ve got this. Mentally and magically, Uncle Siri,” he said confidently.
“Let’s do this,” Remus said, standing.
.
Orion threw himself into the rituals harder than he’d ever put himself toward anything. There was no way he was going to miss a chance to have his beloved papa in his life. He would know in the end that he’d done every single thing he could. He went in depth with each ritual, dissecting each one, finding as many sources as he could. The goblins, and Team Orion were all locating as many texts and scrolls around the world they could in reference to the rituals. There was nothing that would hold them back. Kreacher even contacted house elves he’d known back in the day - whenever that was - and asked questions about the old ways. He came back with tips and tricks that would make things easier as things to avoid. Elves typically saw things people outside of their families never would. There were plenty of errors others had made that Orion and the rest may be able to avoid.
Orion concentrated on his magical and physical health as well. He and Sirius got back into the hard workout routines the goblins had them doing while in the time chamber. They dragged Remus with them and began having dueling competitions with different goblins and house elves. It was a lot of fun and a relief from the stress of the situation.
Finally, finally, the day came. They were all on edge by this point. They had acted out the rituals beginning to end multiple times per day, walking through each one to make sure they had each down. The timing was perfected down to the second. They sat down and wrote out everything that could go wrong and the possible fixes for each. Severus had spent weeks preparing numerous potions that they needed, might need, and a couple dozen more that he could think of any number of uses for. Zynyd worked with him and they put together a first-aid kit for anything that Sirius, Regulus or Orion might need. They would all be cut, have blood loss, and a host of other possibilities.
Arriving at the cave, Orion put up his strongest occlumency shields he could. Severus had worked with him extensively since they introduced the idea of the rituals. He had seen an inferi before and knew how horrifying it would be to not only see one but touch one and know it was his papa. Having his shields up would help him compartmentalize his emotions away from his magic and what needed to be done. Severus went as far as to offer to dampen the memories afterward so he wouldn’t have to suffer nightmares. Orion had initially intended to say he’d be fine but thought better of it. Severus had seen some shit and there was no reason he’d warn him so strenuously unless there was a valid reason. He told his old professor he would take him up on it. He wanted to be able to enjoy getting to know his papa and not be stuck on what he’d looked like.
Now he was glad he’d agreed to it. With a strong Lumos from Axeblade, they observed the lake of inferi and it was horrifying. The creatures weren’t active at the moment and there were just ghostly faces floating in the abyss.
Axeblade and Zynyd worked together to summon Regulus’ body from the lake. Goblin magic was stronger when it came to this so they easily stood aside to let them handle it. Meanwhile, they found a large enough area nearby for the ritual space while keeping them safe from the inferi should they wake. Remus and Orion worked on the runes around the circle. Sirius was working with Severus on setting up their various potions and medical supplies, every instrument purified and set out, lined up like a surgery.
When the goblins called out their warning, Orion took a deep breath, closed his eyes and stepped into the center of the circle with Sirius. Together, they filled the space with Black family magic, letting their strength power the ritual circle. They were both dressed in white linen pants and shirts, no shoes to keep their connection to the earth. They’d spent hours the previous day in and out of different purification baths and rituals. Sirius said they were so squeaky clean you could eat off them. Remus just looked at him hungrily and Orion turned red and left the room. He thought of beautiful cocoa skin he could have enjoyed getting to know that way, but it wasn’t to be.
A dripping body appeared in front of him and Orion was relieved to see that though it looked like something inhuman, it was physically whole. They’d all been worried he’d be half decayed which would have made everything harder. Zynyd had put the body into stasis until they were ready to resuscitate him.
Orion began with a purification ritual on the body, cleaning it of the lake and any other impurities tainting the physical body. Sirius was painting runes and symbols on the arms, legs and over the heart of the body. Nobody was going to call him by name until he woke up. It was easier to just refer to him as the body for now.
“Ready?” Orion looked at Sirius, whose solemn gray eyes were determined. He gave a sharp nod which Orion returned. They knelt and began. He made a cut into the arm of the body, made a complex set of motions and black viscous fluid began pouring out onto the ground. The runes in the ground began glowing and the black poison began burning up.
“Go ahead,” Zynyd confirmed once the body was determined to be empty.
Once more, purification was performed on the body, this time on the insides, basically just flushing him out magically, head to toe.
One more gaze exchange and Sirius was nodding, laying down next to his brother, who amazingly was already losing the gaunt, ghostly look. It had to be family magic, there was no other explanation for it. He wasn’t even inferi alive anymore, it was more of a husk. Orion swallowed hard and made a magical IV of sorts and began feeding Sirius’ blood into the body, whispering and waving his hands in practiced movements, nearly second nature after so much practice.
“You’ve got it, Orion, about one minute and then it’s your turn,” Severus said softly so he didn’t startle him, carefully watching his watch. He didn’t mind being the timekeeper, he just wanted his chance to make things right with Orion and Regulus.
Orion nodded and at the given time, took the wrapping from Zynyd and bandaged Sirius’ arm. It couldn’t be healed until after the ritual, no magic could disrupt them. He did give him a blood replenishing potion, his uncle was pale but gave him a tired smile and
“Ritual two commencing,” Orion said evenly. He began the Resuscitatio ritual, cutting his own arm open and using his blood and blood magic gift to kick start the body to life. After having been filled with Sirius’ blood, he was definitely more human looking. He even had hair coming in which was odd, but magic was odd. He could see the long straight line of his nose that was identical to Sirius’ and the tiny dimple on his chin that Orion had. That thrilled him. His excitement seemed to amp the spell as a golden shimmer began surrounding the body.
“Good, Orion, you’re doing it, keep pushing your magic into him,” Axeblade said.
Orion, strengthened by that knowledge, pushed him that much farther and he began pushing at his core, sending that through his own blood and into his papa. “Come on, Papa, wake up,” he began whispering.
“Don’t hurt yourself,” Remus whispered from the side.
“I’ve got this,” Orion said, determined. “I can feel him, he’s almost here.” And he could feel it, like an old limb waking up, a connection between him and his papa, something he hadn’t felt since he was a baby.
“I can feel him too,” Sirius said. He couldn’t put in any more blood, but he did pour more of his magic into the circle, strengthening everything they were doing.
Orion pushed harder and began chanting. “Excitare sanguinem sanguinis mei.”
“Wake blood of my blood,” Remus whispered in awe.
The body continued shimmering, the glow getting brighter until they all had to close their eyes. Suddenly a jerk of the body ended the light and they all gasped.
Regulus Black lay before them. Hair long and curled gently around his shoulders. Full lips, healthy and pink, skin pale but not unearthly. He was thin, but no worse than Sirius and Orion had been at one time.
“Okay, Sev, break the circle,” Orion said, collapsing onto his rear, knees suddenly protesting kneeling on hard rock for over an hour.
When Severus broke the ritual circle, the team swept down on them. Regulus was scanned and several potions were spelled into him. Zynyd said initial scans show he had brain activity and showed good signs of being mentally present. Soon, Axeblade, Zynyd and a woozy Sirius apparated back to Gringotts to get Regulus installed in the time chamber. Orion had wanted to go but after being informed about how he would also need to recuperate, he agreed to go back home. He didn’t want to miss time with his papa because he was too weak or ill from the ritual.
Severus and Remus took over for Orion and cleaned him up, potioned him until he felt like he was drowning before the group returned to Peverell Cottage. There the elves took over and had Orion cleaned, fed and safe in his bed within half an hour.
“We did it, Remy,” Orion whispered, eyes shining with joy.
“We did. You and Sirius did amazing,” Remus said, squeezing Orion’s hand. “I’m so proud of you, kiddo.”
“Thanks. I can’t wait to meet him properly. I know there is still a long journey ahead, but he’s here now,” Orion said, a tear trickling down his cheek. “I have my papa back.”
“Yes you do,” Remus said warmly. “We’ll all be there for him and you. Just like we put each other back together, we’ll do the same with Regulus. Now get some sleep, there should be an update when you wake up.”
Before he could drift off, Sirius’ wolf patronus flew through the wall. “He’s awake! He’s awake and he’s Reggie. We did it. He’s whole. Very confused and weak as hell, but he’s awake. We’re going into the time chamber now. I’ll keep you updated as I can. Love you all.”
The house was filled with joy, Kreacher was heard humming and babbling about his Great Master Regulus who was finally coming home before demanding to go to him to help him recover and rejoin the world. It was the first demand the elf had made and they couldn’t and wouldn’t deny him. He’d given them the rituals to bring their family back and there wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do for him.
.
The week seemed to fly by and yet every minute felt like forever. Regulus had done well in the time chamber. It seemed they’d managed to figure out the best way to reintegrate Regulus into life. He was able to wake up into a calm environment with people who knew how to help him without being bombarded by well-meaning, overly curious people who would only make things worse.
Finally the day came. Regulus was going home. He’d spent a year in the chamber and was healed physically. Mentally, it took time, but he grew more and more clear-minded within the first three months. Like the others, he slowly but steadily grew stronger, regrowing muscle tone, speaking with different mind healers. Luckily, he couldn’t remember a moment of being an inferi, the last thing he remembered was giving the locket to Kreacher.
It had set him back by a week when he realized he’d missed fifteen years of his son’s life, having not seen him since he was one year old. It got Sirius pissed at the Dursley’s all over again when he realized he had no pictures or anything else of Orion’s from his growing up years.
Sirius had dedicated the year to his brother and was there through each step of healing and recovery. Apart from weekends away so Remus and Orion could stay updated and he’d be able to spend time with his mate and godson. He’d had the opportunity to apologize for all the things that happened in their history. They were able to catch Regulus up on life and Orion’s journey. That conversation had to be broken up over several days. It was too much to take in all at once. There were days when he would shout and scream at Sirius for abandoning Orion. Other days he wouldn’t speak at all, lost in his own thoughts. Still others spent crying.
That was when the mind healer suggested writing to Orion. Introduce himself, ask questions, so they wouldn’t be strangers when they met.
My beloved son,
I am so proud of you. Thank you for the gift of life, for bringing me back. I can’t wait to see you again. You were so tiny when I left you. Tiny but mighty. You had the Black stubbornness, but such kindness that you could have only gotten from your dad. I hear you can be a mischief-maker like your uncle. I’m glad you’ve been able to find some joy with the old dog.
Orion, I am so damn sorry. I am sorry I put the war first. That I put Voldemort first over you and protecting you. It was the worst mistake I’ve ever made and I’ll have to live with that choice as most of us have from that night. And to hear what Dumbledore put you through, it’s disgusting. We all have our guilt and that is mine. But, as you’ve given me this second chance at life, I am going to work through it and get past it. I won’t have our reunion clouded with regret.
Tell me about you, son. I hear you are brilliant, a quidditch prodigy and a genius. Sirius is so proud, he’s like a peacock over here telling me about my son’s many accomplishments. I heard you took your OWL’s and NEWTs in your fourth year? That’s amazing! How did you do? Sirius refused to tell me, just gave that annoying cackle of his that sounds more hyena than grim.
I can’t wait to take you everywhere. We’re going to explore this world together. Travel, see the places none of us got to see. I can’t wait to see your life and who you really are. We have fifteen years to make up for and I’m excited to do so.
Where have you always wanted to go? Do? Experience?
While Sirius held back on your test scores, I did read your will and letter to the world and holy crap, son! How impressive. That was so well done and the added ‘fuck you’ to them all at the same time was worthy of any Black. And Potter, for that matter.
Thank you for bringing Kreacher with you when you left. He’s an odd little guy, but he’s always been a friend to me. He’s enjoyed spending all this time with me and helping with my recovery, it’s nice to have someone so familiar to turn to when other things seem so unsure.
I look forward to getting to know you. Know that I love you very much and I can’t wait to take my place in your life.
All my love,
Papa
Orion had sobbed reading the letter. It didn’t feel like hearing from a stranger. It felt like how Sirius just clicked into his life, but better. His papa loved him and was proud of him. He wanted to spend as much time with Orion as Orion did and it was the best feeling in the world. Remus had to hold him he was so overwhelmed in the best way. The werewolf had a feeling that part of Orion had feared being rejected by the one person who would love him more than anyone else in the world. The letter was perfect for Orion at that moment.
Dear Papa,
It feels amazing to finally be able to say that. I have my papa back. I don’t remember you, not really. But I remember the feeling. I remember the word ‘papa’ was synonymous with warmth and safety even when I didn’t know why. I always knew about Dad, but the name Papa always painted a picture even before I knew who you were.
I forgive you, Papa. I know what it’s like to be buried in evil and wanting out. I’m proud of you for fighting so hard. Don’t ever feel like you have anything to make up to me, you don’t owe me anything. You wanting to be with me and spend time with me is all I could ever ask for or hope for. It’s all I’ve ever wanted in my life.
The only reason I was able to take all my tests was due to the Founders. I think Sirius told you about them. They’re amazing and I wouldn’t be here and you probably wouldn’t be here without them. I’m attaching my OWL and NEWT scores. I was able to show my animagus form for my Transfiguration NEWT and that helped me get my O. I’ll have to show you! Don’t let Sirius tell you, I want you to see it first. I somehow managed to walk away with two masteries. One in an obscure art, ironically, Obscurial Studies. One in Defense. It was all unintentional, but I guess I impressed them somehow. After working with the others on the rituals for you, I am even more determined to work with obscurials and help bring them back. I will do it. That’s my goal.
I enjoy Quidditch, though I’m not a prodigy, I’m just a good flier. It’s fun though and I could fly every minute of the day if I could.
Where do I want to go? Everywhere, anywhere. Do? Everything! I want to study esoteric forms of magic, study the ritual magic and blood magic that I can’t openly study here. I want to see the ocean and the Aurora Borealis and talk to snakes in the Amazon.
I’m so glad you liked the will and letter. It was fun to write and therapeutic at the same time. Being able to invisibly watch the people as it was played out loud was probably one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done. The most satisfying thing, however, was when we realized you were really back.
I can’t wait to get to know you and give you a hug. I’m not great with physical affection, none of us are, but we’re trying. Sirius is the best at it, getting us to cuddle when we really need to.
I’m glad Kreacher has been there for you. I know he was so lost for a long time. Having you to fight for really brought light back into his eyes. You wouldn’t believe how many times he told me that if you weren’t able to be brought back, I wasn’t to blame myself. I think he told me that five times a day since we got to work on the rituals.
Please write back if you want!
Love,
Your Son Orion
Being able to write ‘dear Papa’ and ‘your son’ was one of the most rewarding things. He probably used it too much in conversation. My Papa this and that. Papa said this. Do you think Papa… He couldn’t help it. He’d never gotten this before and he was going to enjoy every single aspect of it.
Dear Bambi, (Blame your dad for that nickname, but it stuck!)
It took me a few minutes to write because my jaw was on the ground. Those scores are AMAZING, Orion! I am so bloody proud of you! And two masteries. My son has two masteries. And one in an obscure magic that puts you in a category that few have been in. You’ll be sought after all over the world, I imagine. Proud papa moment. What a great way to work and travel the world at the same time. Learning and helping all at the same time. I’d love to experience that with you.
I’ve always wanted to see the Aurora as well. I’ve seen pictures, but I want to see it with my eyes. The goblins say there are hotels in Norway that are little bubbles on the ground so you can sleep ‘outside’ and see the stars and Aurora without having to freeze your bollocks off. We’ll see it together.
I know a couple of beaches that I think you’d enjoy. We’ll see the northern, wild oceans and we’ll see the tropical island oceans that are so crystal clear and blue that it takes your breath away.
An unintended side effect of my experience is I am no older than I was when I stepped in the cave. I’m physically twenty years old. So we’re only five years apart now, which is so freaking strange that it’s hard to wrap my mind around. But I think it’s amazing because now I’ll have more time to spend with you and our family.
Severus came to visit me, which was awkward at first. But after a long time of talking, we were able to pick up our old friendship and I look forward to growing that. Sirius was easy to fall back in with, especially after I got to punch him in the face for leaving you with Hagrid and taking off after Wormguts. But we worked it out and are working through everything I’ve missed.
You’ve definitely got the Black bloodlust for those who’ve wronged you and I am so proud of you. It would be so easy to let people take advantage of you, to just take it all. But you not only fought back but fought for yourself. Even having to fake your own death, which was brilliant.
Thank you for conserving the heirship of Potter, I am glad one of your kids will be able to take it. Your Dad isn’t here, but his name is and to be able to pass that on means so much.
I can’t wait to give you a big hug as well. Sirius has been free with affection with me as well. Being where I was, I don’t feel the lack of physical comfort as the rest of you do, but I miss it still.
Sirius is cackling again about your animagus form, though he did pout for quite some time about not being able to name you. Big baby. I happen to know firsthand how bad he is at naming things so I’m glad you went with something you actually like. I got to turn the tables on him because I have an animagus form he doesn’t know about. It took me longer than most to master it, transfiguration is more your Dad and Uncle’s gift. But I did perfect it before I left on the horcrux hunt and Sirius never saw me and has no idea what it is. We can surprise each other. Maybe you can name my form, your Dad was still ruminating on ideas when we lost each other. This will be something we can have.
Soon, son! Only a few more days for you. I’m working hard on being healthy for you. I can’t wait to see you.
Love,
Your Papa
.
“Orion,” a soft, warm voice said from the doorway.
Orion turned, a small gasp escaping. “Papa,” he whispered before breaking into a run, surprising them all with his speed.
“Ooof!” Regulus wheezed when Orion’s body connected with him. “My sweet Bambi,” he murmured, holding his son for the first time in fifteen years. “You’re so beautiful, son!” He leaned back and smiled. “You look like both of us and yet not at all.” He traced Orion’s cheeks and under his eyes. “You’re a handsome lad. I can’t believe I get to hold you again," he said, pulling him back in.
Orion began weeping, crushing himself into his papa’s chest. “Papa, papa, papa.”
With those words being ripped from Orion’s chest, Regulus eased him to the couch and sat down, tucking Orion nearly onto his lap. “I have you, Bambi, my son. I’m never leaving you again, I promise.” Tears released down his own cheeks.
The others who had watched the reunion with happy smiles, departed silently so father and son could have their moment. It was going to be okay now.
.
Sirius flipped his shit about Reggie’s animagus. When Orion had turned into Talon, Reggie began laughing. In a blink, he was flying through the air with his son. Orion as a Peregrine Falcon and Regulus as a Gyrfalcon. They made a beautiful pair in the sky. He was nicknamed Bullet by Orion after he showed them all the speed of the muggle projectile. Bullet was staggering in his speed. They all thought Talon was fast, but he had a short burst, Bullet could keep going for long distances. Together, though, they were gorgeous and imposing and spent hours a day flying and learning one another.
.
Five Years Later…
Orion straightened his suit. He was doing it. He was going to talk to him and tell him the truth. He was taking time away from his Obscurial studies and research to explore other areas of his life. He’d been able to rehabilitate and reintegrate obscurials all over the world, healing children and finding meaning. He’d even been awarded a Merlin First Class twice not that he cared about that. He still helped whenever and wherever needed, but he was shifting his focus for now.
Three years earlier, Orion had gotten involved behind the scenes in the formation of a primary school for all magicals. It would ease muggleborns and raised into the world as well as teach equality to purebloods who might think their blood made them better.
Little Moon Academy opened to much fanfare, Luna Lovegood and Blaise Zabini were the co-founders with Orion as the anonymous funder.
Blaise Zabini. Orion had kept an eye on the other man through the years and his heart still ached to know him. Orion had dated, of course, had a couple of relationships, two serious. But something always held him back and those violet eyes would flash through his mind.
After staying silently in the background, he realized he needed to do something. At least meet him as Orion Black, even if he didn’t think he could trust him with the truth of his background. Blaise was single, had dated from what he’d seen and heard, but was never one to settle down. Severus had heard from Draco who said that Blaise always seemed dissatisfied with his partners.
Orion had been quasi-stalking Blaise for the past six months, wondering if he wanted to risk this, risk outing himself. But for a chance at personal happiness, for Orion the man, he knew it was time.
“Lord Orion Peverell-Black to see Headmaster Zabini,” Orion said with a warm smile to Hannah Barnes, the receptionist. He’d come out with the title when he turned nineteen, though he used proxies for his government seats, not desiring to get involved more than necessary.
“Welcome, Lord Peverell-Black,” Hannah said, admiring the handsome wizard. With his long black hair tied back, gorgeous black robes, silver-gray eyes surrounded by inky black lashes, full pink lips. He was gorgeous and she quickly noted the lack of ring. Maybe Blaise would like a date. She’d have to consult Luna, they were forever trying to set Blaise up with different men. “Headmaster Zabini is expecting you, go ahead and go in, it’s the door at the end of the hall,” she said, pointing.
“Thank you, Miss Barnes,” Orion said and turned, striding confidently to the office in question. He took a deep breath and knocked before entering. “Headmaster Zabini, Lord Peverell-Black, it’s good to meet you.”
Blaise Zabini nearly swallowed his tongue. The man in front of him was stunning. Aside from his good looks, he was practically leaking power, deep, dark and delicious. He reached out and they shook hands, eyes widening as a zing of electricity went through their bodies at the touch. Blaise cleared his throat. “Lord Peverell-Black, welcome to Little Moon Academy. Please have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Orion said, dark and deep, gray eyes eating up the gorgeous man behind the desk. Blaise had only grown more gorgeous as the years passed. He was tall, at least five inches taller than Orion, with shoulders so wide, he could only long to touch. The touch of his hand had nearly sent him to his knees with the desire, the need to have more. He wouldn’t be leaving without a date. That was when his eye was caught by a sight in the corner of the office. A Firebolt. Harry Potter’s Firebolt.
“Have we met before?” Blaise asked. There was something familiar about Lord Peverell-Black. His looks weren’t familiar, gorgeous as they were, but his aura, his presence felt known to him. “You seem so familiar, yet not.”
Orion, as he had always lived his life, jumped in feet first. “Are you taking care of my Firebolt, Blaise?”
Blaise tilted his head as his heart pounded in his chest. What? No way. That didn’t mean what he thought it meant. Did it? He searched those gray eyes, lit with amusement and fear? “Are you…” How did one ask if someone was a dead hero who he’d had a ghostly crush on for six years?
“I wasn’t a real person, not to Albus Dumbledore, not to the general public, not to my friends. I was merely a poster who needed to look as expected and advertised and when I wasn’t, I got ripped down. Then when the world decided they needed me again, they’d tape me up and stick me back on the wall under the weight of their obligations once again. There would have been no future for me, not one where I walked out whole in the end, if I walked out at all. So I took myself out of the picture.” Orion swallowed hard. Blaise was staring at him, gorgeous full mouth slightly open as Orion talked.
“Go on,” Blaise whispered.
“I got some help from outside sources, took my OWLs and NEWTs, set up my death and went through with it. Fourth year was the longest year of my life, the hardest and in the end I chose me,” he said with a shrug. “It was the most selfish thing I’ve ever done and I have almost no regrets. I am Orion Black. Potter died, I will not answer to the name or acknowledge it.”
“Almost no regrets?” Blaise asked. He couldn’t believe he was sitting across from Harry Bloody Potter, the man who once again freaking lived, though he stamped into his brain that he was Orion. The difference in looks would easily help. Did Orion have regrets? Was this his own second chance?
“I left Hogwarts with the only regret of not being able to get to know you,” he said softly. He lifted his eyes to Blaise’s. “I’m sorry, Blaise, for any pain it caused you. I wanted to live more than anything else.”
Blaise couldn’t stand looking at those hesitant gray eyes that captivated him and stood up, walking to Orion and when Orion stood, he pulled the smaller man into his arms. It was so right, it felt like home. They fit together as if they’d been made to. “You were my regret too. I wished I had taken time to talk to you more, to know you.” He leaned back and stroked Orion’s soft cheek. “Can I know you now? Can I take you out? I saw no ring, dare I hope?”
“Yes, yes and yes,” Orion said with a smile that grew into a grin.
The joy in Blaise’s chest was so strong, he had to give in. He cupped Orion’s cheek and chastely kissed him, more heat flashing between them at the soft touch. Orion hummed and brought him closer, arms tight around his waist, kissing him firmly.
“Perfection,” Orion said when they pulled back, both breathing heavily.
“That’s my line,” Blaise said, unable to resist dropping kisses down that long throat. “I know we’re supposed to discuss budgets and plans for the school, but can I take you out? Get out of here so we can really talk?” He looked into Orion’s eyes to judge his answer.
Orion grinned. “I’d like that.”
Blaise didn’t waste a second, grabbing Orion’s hand and pulling him to the door. He shouted to Hannah that he’d be back on Monday. Hannah was already reaching for the phone to call Luna. They’d installed phones to be able to communicate with the muggleborns and raised and had liked the convenience so much, they’d installed them in all their houses. “Luna, you’ll never guess what just happened.”
“I think I might have an idea,” a dreamy voice answered her.
.
Two months later, Orion was called into Gringotts and brought Blaise with him. They’d been spending every available minute together. Not only making plans for Little Moon Academy, but consulting on the new orphanage Cedric Diggory built. He’d wanted to name it Harry’s Place and Orion vetoed that immediately. He said Harry never would have wanted it named after him and they should respect that. Blaise and eventually Cedric, agreed. Founders Family would be opening within the next year. Orion had donated Slytherin Castle and was arranging the layout to best suit a house full of children when the day came. In the middle of everything, he and Blaise finally gave in and moved in together when Blaise never seemed to want to go home.
Peverell Cottage was still Orion’s home and Blaise fit in perfectly. Blaise was intimidated to meet Orion’s family. Sirius Black, Regulus Black-Potter-Prince, Severus Snape-Prince. Yeah, that one shocked him. After grieving and healing with each other, Regulus and Severus had fallen in together and found a deep love and companionship between them. Orion had given his enthusiastic approval and called Severus ‘Pops’. He’d sneered at the name once and then decided he loved it.
Now, Orion, Blaise, Sirius, Remus, Regulus and Severus were all seated with Griphook.
“This is our final business with Team Orion. When we got rid of the horcruxes, we kept the ring as we didn’t know what it was, but it was obviously more than we thought. We have finally come to the conclusion it is the Resurrection Stone.” The room was filled with gasps. “Orion, it belongs to you.”
With that, he handed the small stone to Orion who immediately started glowing. Like glowing. Orion opened the still-present pouch on his belt and pulled out the cloak and elder wand. As soon as they touched, a bolt of light gathered the three objects and when it faded, there was a necklace sitting in Orion’s hand. He heard something, felt something. “Holy crap,” he muttered. “Okay, well, I’m not going to go into what I just felt, but, uh, this necklace will do all the jobs of the three Hallows, as those were. The wand will be represented through the power the stone will feed into my magic. With a tap of the pendent, I will be invisible. With three taps, I can summon the dead. Holy shit.”
That seemed to be the consensus. The title Master of Death was whispered but nobody seemed to want to tangle with that yet.
Orion looked around. “Who wants to talk to Dad and Lily?” Everyone agreed, excited to have a reunion. He suddenly grinned, devious and wicked. “How about when we’re done, we call up an old headmaster?”
(If the Dabberblimps were curious about the dead, they were probably laughing their mini rears off at the dumbfounded, gasping, white face of a silenced, dead Dumbledore as he stared at the very much alive Boy Who Lived. His mouth moved with silent words and shouts, fists shaking at them in desperate fury. There were no twinkling eyes to be seen as they merrily waved and sent him on his way. Justice.)